When you first start meditating and read the ancient
literature, time and time again you find the suggestion/direction to
empty your mind. Almost all the FDG's (Famous Dead Gurus) indicate this
is virtually mandatory to achieve success in meditation. Then you try to
do it and find that it is easier said than done. But, as they say in
song, "don't worry, be happy" because there are solutions to this
non-problem.

One of the best techniques to use when you find it impossible
to clear your mind is to fill it to the max. Focus on any object or
concept - like an egg or peace - (it is usually considered much easier
to focus on an object, by the way) - OK so, let's say you are using an
egg as the object - you then think of everything you can that relates to
an egg. For example, an egg is oval; it comes in brown or white. It has
a fragile shell. It comes from a mother, etc. You then extrapolate on
how these characteristics relate to you.

For instance, people are sort of oval shaped, come in brown and
white colors, our skin is a fragile shell, etc. Whatever you do, keep
referring back to the object of your concentration (in this case, the
egg). You can also work on how the egg relates to any/everything in the
universe. As Einstein tells us, everything in the universe is relative
to everything else. So, what eventually has to happen is that you will
find that everything you can think about relates to an egg. Way before
you get through the first billion things that relate, your mind will
surrender, or sort of turn off from fatigue. Being empty, you can and
will then fill with the essence of the egg, which is the same essence as
you and everything else in the universe.

You may not even need to fill terribly much with a lot of
thought. It sometimes happens that you will realize that essence quite
quickly. For instance, you may realize that the egg is made of atomic
and subatomic substances that have no difference than those that make
you up. And so is the entire universe. You are literally star energy and
united with all the atomic particles everywhere.

There is a wisdom and consciousness that allows the atoms to know
enough to merge into molecular compositions and the molecules to unite
into more and more complex compositions. The ultimate intelligent
composition is the human, for we are blessed with the ability to ponder
this holy, miraculous process and unite with the source and maintainer
of it.

There are many other methods to fill the mind. One is to answer
Zen koans like "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" or "What was
your face before you were born". These imponderables are unanswerable by
mere intellect, body, or emotions, and have been used for hundreds of
years as a way to master our mind. Similarly, Sufi tales, particularly
those featuring Mullah Nasrudin, as well as Hindu teaching stories,
Talmudic tales, etc., that offer levels after levels of understanding
that your mind will never be able to fathom.

Another method is to do visualizations. Then, you will be
filling your mind with what you choose. For instance, visualize yourself
being the person you want to be. A "you" with perfect health,
tranquility, wisdom, and self control. And complete mastery of your
mind.

Meditation Station and other web sites offer dozens of
techniques and concepts that are appropriate to use to do more than just
clear your mind. Try a few methods, find one (or possibly even a few)
that feel right, and persevere until your mind becomes a useful tool,
just as your hand or computer or car is. And you will live happily ever
after.